Here’s an idea for you fall lovers. John Caswell is a clever, whimsical designer from Bristol. His latest creation is a simple chair back that can be wedged into a bale of hay making sitting on straw more comfortable.
Here’s an idea for you fall lovers. John Caswell is a clever, whimsical designer from Bristol. His latest creation is a simple chair back that can be wedged into a bale of hay making sitting on straw more comfortable.
I know what you’re going to say. Sitting on straw more comfortable? And why not just sit on a bale of hay like a normal person? Because without amusing design and fun oddities, we’d all be in our beige apartments with functional furniture and proper reading light.

The Bale Backer seems like a charming way to kick back on a farm and take in the sunset with a glass of wine. Who’s with me? And who has a farm?
No word on pricing yet but his website mentions hopes of online availability soon.
hmmm...kind of reminds me of the log bench:
http://www.modernests.com/2009/08/yay-or-nay-log-bench.html
While I love the idea of a few bundles of hay creating a bench on one side of a long dining table, I'm not sure about this. hmm...
view MODERnestS's profile
actually...if the hay was only a square such that it would make for two separate chairs, I'd be more into it. Then it could be a whimsical accent chair, this way it is a bit too much like...I stuck some chair backs in a bundle of hay.
view MODERnestS's profile
Fabulous for an outdoor wedding?
view DahliaCactus's profile
Given the fact that I have yet to find a hay bale that wasn't FULL of chiggers, and I've sat on a lot of bales, I'm going to venture a guess that this was invented by someone who hasn't.
view LBhirise's profile
Not wanting to sit on hay or straw (especially with odd attachments) doesn't mean my apartment is beige or that I have no sense of fun. Anyway, having a special hay bale chair seems to undermine the romantic, casual aspect of just plopping down on a natural 'seat' like a bale of hay, a large rock, a fence, a clump of grass, etc.
view slowdown's profile
The idea of any kind of bugs (or is this hay sterilized?) and the fact that I would be sneezing my brains out just getting near these chairs, makes me think it isnt a good idea.
view sassydo's profile
So what's the price point for this comfy instant asthma attack? This belongs in Regretsy, maybe?
view muirwoods08's profile
Hay sticks up in your butt.
view medusa12120's profile
Not quite getting this, but I think I hate it.
view mirandabee's profile
i think these would be great for hay rides in the back of big wagons that are so popular in the country/suburbs this time of year!
view mkw's profile
So much negativity! On a Friday, no less!
I grew up on a farm, and I think this idea is hilarious -- in a good way. Totally awesome idea for temporary outdoor seating in the summertime.
view TammyE's profile
Only a "clever whimsical" designer would come up with this hare-brained scheme-- wildly impractical, but sure to garner mentions in decorating magazines & blogs. Isn't that what good design's all about, anyway?
view shirley-temple-of-doom's profile
I kind of want it to be wider/larger. More of something to lounge on. Is it really that impractical if you keep it outside? If I saw hay arranged in a way that could be construed as seating I'd jump on that right away.
view phongalong's profile
This is great; I may have to go buy a couple of bales (they are only $2 around here for the real "farmer" ones (not the Halloween copies). I usually have a few around for my compost walls but I'm out.
@MODERnestS, it's easy to cut bales and retie them into squares.
view Poster's profile
um,i just think it is full of creative ,and i will not sit in.
view ppollwith654's profile
This is another example of a chair design that looks cool but would be a bit uncomfortable. Wouldn't your legs and butt start to itch?
http://chillonthecheap.wordpress.com/
view chillonthecheap's profile